She told TV show Anderson Live: "There's no way of anticipating what that's going to mean for us but we are very excited. We are going to love this person, I know that."

Although Danes grew up around youngsters she confessed that she doesn't have much experience with newborn babies.

She said: "My mom ran a toddler school in our loft; I grew up in the city. So I grew up with 1 and 2-year-olds all throughout my childhood, and I know about early childhood development - that particular window I am pretty educated on.

"Anything before and after I might have some trouble."

The Homeland star also revealed that she and her spouse of three years know the sex of the baby but have decided to keep it quiet.

She added: "It's important to keep a little something to ourselves because we are so public."